We, the undersigned, all expert volunteer consultants for the congressionally approved Farmer-to-Farmer Program, urge Congress to support the continuation of this highly successful 40-year-old effort that has significantly, and cost effectively, contributed to making the United States safer, stronger and more prosperous.

The John Ogonowski and Doug Bereuter Farmer-to-Farmer Program was initially authorized by Congress in the 1985 Farm Bill and funded through Title V of Public Law 480. Its title honors John Ogonowski, a pilot killed on September 11, 2001, and former Congressman Bereuter (R-Nebraska), its original sponsor.

Since 1985, over 22,000 expert Farmer-to-Farmer volunteers from all 50 states and Washington D.C. have provided technical support and training to smallholder farmers, as well as small and medium agribusinesses, and other agricultural organizations worldwide. Their efforts have been implemented in developing and middle-income countries by US-based non-profits and the University of Tennessee. These assignments have benefited more than 180 million people, many of whom are among the poorest in the world, with food security and economic opportunity.

Farmer-to-Farmer volunteers contribute their time and considerable expertise, valued at $200 million over the past 40 years. Project funds are used to cover their travel costs and support limited staff that organizes assignments and ensures the safety of the volunteers, many of whom are U.S. farmers, agricultural researchers and experts, and agribusiness employees.

Farmer-to-Farmer has continually delivered an impressive return on investment. For example, a study of 101 assignments conducted in Malawi and Zambia between 2019 and 2024, showed that 3,637 farmers directly trained by volunteers generated an average of $5,523 in revenue over what they had previously been earning from their average 11-acre farms. Those farmers went on to train an additional 12,655 of their peers whose new knowledge contributed nearly $70 million in revenue to their farms – an impressive more than 800% return on investment – resulting in greater economic self-sufficiency and food security for themselves, their families and their communities. Specialty assignments linking U.S. oilseed processing experts with processors in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) have helped to enhance efficiency and expand capacity. Currently, SSA processors operate at 48% of their capacity, for want of grain. This work creates an opportunity for U.S. exporters to fill demand for soy cake and grain. Farmer-to-Farmer program results like these have been repeated countless times around the world for 40 years.

With just over $75 million currently awarded for a period of five years in 30 countries, results of the program are far reaching. The volunteer assignments lead to higher agricultural productivity and improved incomes, building strong national economies that help reduce global migration and terrorism, and cultivate U.S. trading partners. The U.S. agricultural professionals who volunteer also benefit through gained knowledge of global crop varieties, livestock breeds, pests and diseases that have relevance to U.S. agriculture.

Over four decades, the Farmer-to-Farmer Program’s authorization and funding have remained part of the Farm Bill, with implementation managed by USAID. It has maintained continuous strong bipartisan support. The program was halted worldwide in January 2025, as a response to the Executive Order on Reevaluating and Realigning United States Foreign Aid.

As volunteers, we strongly believe the Farmer-to-Farmer Program and its tremendous contributions must be resumed. We call on the Honorable Members of the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate to urgently express their support for the continuation of the John Ogonowski and Doug Bereuter Farmer-to-Farmer Program.

Sincerely,

Farmer-to-Farmer Volunteers